2009 Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open - Round 4: Thongchai sets new tour record with Bali victory

"It's a great feeling. I would like to thank my fans, especially the people in Bali as they have been nice. It's my first time in Bali and I've been enjoying myself. I'm very happy to win here," said the two-time Asian Tour number one.

It marked a memorable week for Thongchai who emerged as the first player to win 11 titles on the Asian Tour. He had previously won the 2008 Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open which had matched compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant in the total number of wins on the Asian Tour before his record feat this week.

England's Simon Dyson shot a 69 and finished in a tie for second place two strokes behind the champion alongside Sweden's Alexander Noren who carded a 70 and England's Steve Webster who posted a 68.

Backed by accurate putting and steady driving, overnight leader Thongchai remained in prime position by firing four birdies in the first seven holes. Despite picking bogeys on the eighth and 14th holes, the former paratrooper bounced back with a birdie on the 16th and closed in with a par for the win.

"It was very hot and my face is sunburned. I've never seen my face like this before. I'm used to playing under the heat back home but this week it was extremely hot. The greens here are also very different and I have to read it well to keep the scores low. But this is a great win for me and I would like to dedicate this to my family," added the champion.

England's Dyson, who was the 2006 winner, birdied the 16th and 18th holes to finish in a tie for second place.

"I just needed a bit of luck and I didn't really get it. But I'm probably playing the best golf I've ever played. I think I only missed two fairways and two greens over the past two days. So I know my game's in good enough shape. Hopefully I can keep it up," said Dyson.

India's Jyoti Randhawa shot a 70 and was pleased to end his week in joint seventh place alongside England's Simon Griffiths who posted a 71.

"I could have played better but ending with a top-10 finish over here, I'll take it. It's been a good week and I'm looking forward to more strong finishes this year," said the New Delhi-based Randhawa.

Indonesia's number one golfer Rory Hie posted his third straight 72 and ended his campaign in a tie for 32nd place.

"I've been hitting the ball great. There were a couple of three putts on the back nine which spoilt my round but I'm happy. It's been a good week for me. I didn't play bad and I made the cut which was my main priority," said the Asian Tour's Qualifying School graduate.

Leading final round scores (click here for full leaderboard and prize money):
276 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 71-69-67-69
278 - Steve Webster (ENG) 69-69-72-68, Simon Dyson (ENG) 68-71-70-69, Alexander Noren (SWE) 69-73-66-70
279 - Rafael Cabrera Bello (ESP) 71-72-71-65, Richard Bland (ENG) 72-71-66-70
280 - Simon Khan (ENG) 68-76-68-68, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 74-70-66-70, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 70-70-69-71
281 - Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 69-76-70-66, Jason Knutzon (USA) 72-70-70-69
282 - Ignacio Garrido (ESP) 70-71-74-67, Anthony Kang (USA) 70-71-70-71, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 69-73-70-70, Jeppe Huldahl (DEN) 73-66-70-73
283 - Gaurav Ghei (IND) 72-68-74-69, Bryan Saltus (USA) 70-72-72-69, Pelle Edberg (SWE) 74-71-69-69, Daniel Chopra (SWE) 73-71-70-69, Digvijay Singh (IND) 69-72-71-71, Scott Drummond (SCO) 71-69-69-74
284 - Michael Hoey (IRL) 71-73-73-67, Darren Beck (AUS) 71-71-72-70, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 71-74-69-70, Angelo Que (PHI) 64-76-73-71, Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 71-70-71-72, Gary Murphy (IRL) 70-72-71-71, Tony Carolan (AUS) 68-74-71-71, Ross Mcgowan (ENG) 69-71-69-75

March 1, 2008

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